Marine peptides in breast cancer: Therapeutic and mechanistic understanding

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Oct:142:112038. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112038. Epub 2021 Aug 16.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most prevalent invasive form of cancer in females and posing a great challenge for overcoming disease burden. The growth in global cancer deaths mandates the discovery of new efficacious natural anti-tumor treatments. In this regard, aquatic species offer a rich supply of possible drugs. Studies have shown that several marine peptides damage cancer cells by a broad range of pathways, including apoptosis, microtubule balance disturbances, and suppression of angiogenesis. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents are characterized by a plethora of side effects, including immune response suppression. The discovery of novel putative anti-cancer peptides with lesser toxicity is therefore necessary and timely, especially those able to thwart multi drug resistance (MDR). This review addresses marine anti-cancer peptides for the treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Cell cycle arrest; Marine peptides; Metastasis; Protein hydrolysate.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aquatic Organisms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Peptides / adverse effects
  • Peptides / isolation & purification
  • Peptides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Peptides